Lalu's arrogance driving out supporters: Sadhu Yadav

NEW DELHI: With a number of RJD leaders quitting the party in the recent weeks, Lalu Prasad's estranged brother-in-law Sadhu Yadav has blamed it on the party chief's "arrogance" and said his "over-confidence" would cost the party heavily in the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls.

Sadhu Yadav, who was once in the innermost circle of Lalu Prasad, said the RJD chief was increasingly getting distanced from his supporters and common people, particularly those in the villages.

"Arrogance due to over-confidence and feel-good has isolated Laluji from his close supporters...these will result in his downfall after upcoming Bihar Assembly polls," he said.

"The way his (Lalu's) ardent supporters are dumping him indicates his fall is imminent," said Yadav, who had enjoyed immense patronage of Lalu Prasad and was infamous for his strong arm tactics during the 15-year RJD rule in Bihar before he quit early last year.

His comments came against the backdrop of Lalu Prasad's close supporters, including another brother-in-law Subhash Yadav, former union minister Akhilesh Singh and Nagmani leaving RJD in the recent weeks.

Party MP Uma Shankar Singh has also announced that he would campaign for Congress in Bihar polls.

Yadav said the RJD boss has "dumped" the common man, particularly the villagers who formed his support base, in favour of "smart and rich" metropolitan man.

"Laluji seems to have forgotten that a 'senapati' (commander) can be good or bad depending on strength of his sena (soldiers)," said Sadhu Yadav, whose original name is Anirudh Prasad.

Yadav, who joined Congress following differences with the RJD supremo after he was denied ticket in the last Lok Sabha polls, ruled out his return to the parent party.

Prasad had denied ticket to Yadav from Bettiah seat in favour of noted film-maker Prakash Jha, who had unsuccessfully contested from there.

He ruled out any rapprochement with Prasad. "We are not on talking terms," said Yadav who is now vice-chairman of Bihar Congress Publicity Committee.